Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana : Govt receives over 51,000 applications

New Delhi: The AAP-led Delhi government has received more than 51,000 applications for Tirth Yatra out of which 60 per cent of the applicants are women. November will see the maximum number of pilgrim movement since the launch of the "Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana". Following the announcement of the scheme the number of applicants has been increasing every week.

An official at the Delhi government said, "The total number of applications for this scheme has crossed 50,000 therefore, the government has planned major travel plans for the month of November. Roughly 14 trains have been booked for pilgrims travelling in November and the government is working towards arranging 14 more trains."

According to officials, till 10th October, 12 trains have taken senior citizens to different pilgrimage centres. Meanwhile, the Delhi government has observed that 60 per cent of these applicants are women. A one of a kind initiative as termed by experts, this will be the first time Shirdi and Tirupati have been added under this scheme. As soon as more trains are approved, preparations for the journey will also begin immediately.

As of now the schedule for the upcoming pilgrimage is — Shirdi on November 7, Dwarka on November 8, Jagannathpuri on November 9, Mathura on November 14, Jammu and Katra on November 16, Amritsar on November 17, Rameswaram on November 19, Tirupati on November 22, Dwarka on November 23, Shirdi on November 28, and Amritsar on November 30, a report stated.

"Earlier this year, the Delhi cabinet had approved the Revenue Department's proposal to begin the scheme Mukhyamantri Tirth Yatra Yojana which was to enable 1,100 senior citizens from each Assembly Constituency per year to undertake free

pilgrimages., the expenses for which would be borne by the government. It is proposed that a total of 77,000 pilgrims will be able to avail this facility every year.

It has also been decided that in the existing Ajmer-Pushkar tour, the Haldighati destination will be added. Alongwith seven new destinations, including Rameswaram, Shirdi, Tirupati, and Puri.